Cryogenic control valve

ABSTRACT

A cryogenic control valve for regulating the flow of material, such as a gaseous or liquid fluid, through a conduit. The control valve includes a jacket connected to the conduit, an input pipe with one end connected to a source of a low-temperature coolant, and control means to control the movement of the low temperature coolant to convert at least a portion of the fluid material in the conduit into a solid state to regulate the flow of the material through the conduit.

United States Patent [1 1 Elwood et al.

[ Dec. 31, 1974 CRYOGENIC CONTROL VALVE [76] Inventors: Albert A.Elwood, 301 Broadway,

Riviera Beach; James Patterson, 2195 Ibis Isle Rd., Palm Beach, both ofFla. 33404 [22] Filed: Nov. 26, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 168,331

[52] US. Cl 62/293, 62/66, 62/260, 138/97, 166/.5, 166/286 [51] Int. Cl.F25d 3/00 [58] Field of Search 62/293, 66, 56, 45, 514, 62/260; 138/97;137/68, 318, 315; 166/302, 299, .5, 286

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,257,727 10/1941 Bennett etal. 62/260 2,483,082 9/1949 Young et al. 2,552,901 5/1951 Miller3,027,903 4/1962 Thorp, Jr 3,041,850 7/1962 Nunn 62/293 3,396,745 Bates137/68 3,431,742 3/1969 Green 62/52 3,498,071 3/ 1970 Tremont 62/663,553,976 1/1971 Cumine et a1. 62/293 3,728,868 4/1973 Longsworth 62/514FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,521,628 2/1968 France 62/293 244,8707/1911 Germany 138/97 Primary E.\'aminerWilliam F. ODea AssistantExaminer-Paul Devinsky l 5 ABSTRACT A cryogenic control valve forregulating the flow of material, such as a gaseous or liquid fluid,through a conduit. The control valve includes a jacket connected to theconduit, an input pipe with one end con nected to a source of alow-temperature coolant, and control means to control the movement ofthe low temperature coolant to convert at least a portion of the fluidmaterial in the conduit into a solid state to regulate the flow of thematerial through the conduit.

7 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTEDDEB31 I974 557 14. 1 waop JAMASFATTA'ESa/V g INVENTOR.

CRYOGENIC CONTROL VALVE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This inventionrelates to a cryogenic control valve for regulating the flow of materialthrough a conduit, and, more particularly, to an emergency control valvefor injecting a low-temperature material into a jacket surrounding theconduit or into the material flowing in the conduit to solidify at leasta portion of the conduit material in order to regulate the flow of fluidthrough the conduit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A cryogenic control valve forregulating the flow of a fluid material through a conduit. The controlvalve is connected to a source of a low-temperature coolant such asliquid nitrogen, liquid helium or lowtemperature compressed gaseouscarbon dioxide. The valve or cryogenic valve includes a jacket that maybe in the form of an over sleeve or a split sleeve. The jacket isconnected about a portion of the conduit. A transfer or input pipe isconnected between the source of the low-temperature coolant and thejacket to provide means to transport the coolant from the source to thejacket. The control means controls the movement of the low-temperaturecoolant in order to convert at least a'portion of the fluid material inthe conduit into a solid or highly viscous state to regulate the flow ofthe material through the conduit. The control means moves the coolantinto the jacket to cool the fluid material in the conduit by a heatexchange through the wall of the conduit, or the control means moves thecoolant into the conduit to mix directly with the fluid material tosolidify the fluid in the conduit. The control means may include aconduit cutting means to open a passageway between the jacket and theconduit.

It is an object of this invention to provide a cryogenic control valve.

Another object of this invention is to provide an emergency controlvalve for solidifying at least a portion of the fluid in order tocontrol the flow of fluid through the conduit.

Another object of this invention is to provide a cryogenic coolant abouta fluid conduit to freeze at least a portion of the fluid to regulatethe flow'of fluid through the conduit.

Another object of this invention is to provide a control valve forinjecting a low-temperature coolant into a conduit in order to changethe state of at least a portion of the fluid to regulate the flow offluid through the conduit.

A further object of this invention is to provide an emergency valvemeans to freeze flamable fluids to aid in fighting fires.

A further object of the invention is to provide an emergency valve meansthat reduces the temperature of the fluid below the flash point to aidin fighting fires.

An additional object of this invention is to provide an emergency valvemeans that generates a noncombustable gas to aid in fighting fires.

In accordance with these and other objects which will be apparenthereinafter, the present invention will now be described with particularreference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side view of a jacketpartially broken away to show the inner portions of the jacket and thefluid conduit;

FIG. 2 is an illustration of the cryogenic valve adjacent an oil pipefor controlling oil platform fires; and FIG. 3 is an assemblyillustration showing the valve jacket connected to the oil conduit andto the control system.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings,and, particularly to FIG. 1, the cryogenic valve, generally designatedby numerals 2, is utilized to regulate the flow of liquid or gas fluidsin a conduit 4 by solidifying at least a portion of the fluid in theconduit or by making the fluid highly viscous. The cryogenic valve maybe a permanent attachment on a conduit in a system or an attachabledevice as illustrated in FIG. 1. A conduit illustrated in FIG. 1 isthe'type of conduit used between an offshore oil well platform and thefloor of a body of water. The conduit 4 includes an outer pipe 6, aninner pipe 8, and a concrete filter 10. Such conduits are used on oilwell platforms for safety purposes in order to transport oil and othermaterials to the platform from formations beneath the surface of thefloor of the body of water.

The valve 2 includes a split sleeve jacket 12 with a right side member14 and a left side member 16. The right and left sides are connectedtogether by bolts 18 in perimeter flanges 20 and 22. The central chamber24 of the jacket is shown as a sphere although it may be cylindrical orother various shapes. The central chamber of the jacket 12 provides acavity for movement of the coolant and a breech 26 to hold theshaped-charge 28. The shaped-charge may be replaced by other types ofcutting means. An entrance port 30 in the jacket includes a pressureactuated valve or rupture disc means 32 to regulate the entry of thecoolant into the jacket. The shaped-charge breech 26 includes an accessdoor 34 for placing the shaped-charge in the jacket 12 adjacent theconduit 4 after the jacket is connected to the conduit. Theshaped-charge is used to cut an opening, such as illustrated by numeral36, in the conduit 4. The jacket may include one or two purging valves38 and 40 for removing fluids from the jacket 12. Input valve 38 may beused as a valve to allow air under pressure to be forced into jacket 12.Input valve 38 is connected to an air pressure supply source by line 42.The exit valve 40 allows the water or other fluid material to escapefrom the chamber 24, when subjected to air pressure. Exit valve 40 maybe connected to a return line 44. Both the inlet and exit valves 38 and40 respectively are secured in a fixed closed position prior to entry ofthe coolant into chamber 24.

The jacket 2 may be installed on the conduit 4 prior to itsinstallation. Or, on older offshore platforms, the

two halves l4 and 16 of jacket 12 may be installed by floating the twohalves of the jacket suspended on cables 46 beneath buoys 48, as shownin FIG. 2. The buoys 48 are moved down wind to a position adjacent theconduit 4. Divers are then used to connect a collar 50, to the conduit 4and to connect cable 52 between the collar and the two halves of jacket12. The two halves of jacket 12 are then released from the buoys andallowed to move into contact with conduit 4. The divers then bolt thetwo halves of jacket 12 together about pipe 4 by securing bolts 18through flanges 20 and 22. The transfer pipe 54 is then connectedbetween the jacket 12 and the vessel 56.

The vessel, as shown in FIG. 3, carries the coolant in coolant tank, orDewar 58, which may have additional cooling means, not shown, pressureindicator 60, pressure building means 62 for increasing the pressure intank 58, a main control valve 64, a pump 66 with pump control means 68,and preheater 70. The coolant tank 58 is connected to the pressurebuilding means 62 by line 72 and feedback line 74. The pressure buildingmeans 62 is connected to the pump 66 through valve 64. Line 76 connectsthe pump 66 to the preheater 70. The preheater 70 is connected to theother end of transfer pipe 54 connected to the jacket 12.

After the transfer pipe 54 is connected between the preheater and thejacket, and the access door 34 on the shaped-charge is secured in aclosed position, the jacket 12 may be tested for leaks. Input valve 38may be used to test the jacket. Exit valve 40 may be used to keep thetank pressure below rupture pressure to prevent rupture of the rupturevalve 32. After testing, the shaped-charge 28 is connected to theelectrical detonator is connected to battery 80 through pressure switch82. The pressure switch is set to close when the pressure in chamber 24is approximately equal to the rupture pressure of rupture valve32.Access door 34 is opened and the shaped-charge and electrical detonatorare installed in the breech. Thereafter, the access door is secured.

Purging line 42 is pressurized by a pump or pressure tank, not shown,valve 38 is opened. Valve 40 is also opened and air or nitrogen gasdisplaces the water and other materials in jacket 12. After the jacket12 is purged, valves 38 and 40 are shut off.

The transfer pipe 54 is purged of water by admitting nitrogen gasthrough a preheater 70 at a temperature above the freezing point of seawater. Valve 84 is opened and the water content of hose 54 is bled offinto the sea or returned to the vessel through hose 86. Valve 84 is thenclosed after the transfer pipe 54 is cleared of water.

Then the transfer pipe is precooled. The transfer pipe must be precooledin order to place liquid nitrogen in the jacket chamber or in conduit 4.In addition, the transfer pipe 54 must be insulated with a coating ofice prior to pumping liquid nitrogen into the jacket 12. The transferpipe is cooled and covered with an insulating layer of ice by openingvalve 84 to allow the pump 66 to force gaseous nitrogen that ispreheated to a temperature well below the freeze point of sea water(approximately 50F) into the transfer pipe 54 and out valve 84. Whentemperature sensor 88 with vessel connecting line 90 indicates thedesired temperature, that is the same temperature as indicated ontemperature sensor 92, the preheat is reduced until temperature sensor92 drops appreciably (approximately IOOF). The same chilling sequencemay be repeated until temperature sensor 88 records the same approximatetemperature as temperature sensor 92, then the temperature is reducedanother step, and so on until hosetransfer pipe 54 is chilled enough andinsulated enough with frozen water to be filled with liquid nitrogen.The pump operator is careful to prevent the pressure in the transferpipe 54 from exceeding the pressure required to actuate the pressurevalve or rupture disk 32. Valve 84 is thereafter closed.

Upon command, the pump pressure indicated at pressure gage 94 is raisedby a signal to pump control 68 that drives pump 66 at a faster rate.Preheater 70 is then inactivated. When the pressure exceeds the rupturepressure of the rupture disk 32, the disk will break. At the instant therupture disk is broken, the pressure inside the jacket 12 goes fromroughly sea water depth pressure to the preset opening pressure of valve32, for example 1,500 pounds per square inch. Pressure sensor 82 is setto actuate at approximately of the actuation or rupture pressure ofvalve 32, for example 800 pounds per square inch. Actuation pressure ofpressure switch 82 must be at a pressure greater than the pressureinside conduit 4 to prevent backflow of fluid into jacket 12. Pressuresettings of pressure switch 82 and valve 32 are selected accordingly.Upon actuation of pressure switch 82, the detonator 78 is electricallyfired which in turn ignites the shaped-charge 28 to burn a hole throughpipes 6, 8 and concrete filler 10. The pump operator using pressureindicator 94 maintains the pressure at indicator 94 well above pressureinside conduit 4 so as to maintain maximum flow of liquidnitrogen intothe conduit through hole 36. As the freezing operation takes place theback pressure will rise in transfer pipe 54. The pump operator willmaintain a preselected pressure with continually reduced flow until thefreezing operation is complete. Pump operator then maintains a slightflow of liquid nitrogen to preserve freeze. The fluid solidifies whenthe coolant removes heat from the fluid. The flow of fluid in theconduit may be stopped by the solidified fluid which may act as a plugin the conduit.

In the case of an offshore oil well fire, after the freeze stops theflow of oil, the platform is cooled by fire boats. Then a crew may beplaced on the riser to cap conduit 4.

It should be noted that when the fluid conduit is not opened by acutting means, exit valve 40 is opened to allow the used coolant gas toescape into the sea out of the jacket 12 or through line 44. Thematerial flowing through the conduit is cooled through the conduit wall.The material inthe conduit will gradually freeze and restrict theconduit opening.

To provide a mixing of the coolant and the fluid in the conduit, variousshapedcharge explosive may be utilized, such ascyclotrimethylenetrinitramine. The coolants may be used to control gasflow as well as liquid flow in a conduit.

The instant invention has been shown and described herein in what isconsidered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment. It isrecognized, however, that departures may be made therefrom within thescope of the invention and that obvious modifications 7 will occur to aperson skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:

1. A cryogenic valve for regulating the flow of fluid in a conduit bysupplying a cryogenic coolantinto the conduit to create a gating meansincluding:

acryogenic coolant source,

a body connectable to the conduit, said body includ' ing a cryogenicinlet connected to said coolant source, means for directing the movementof the cryogenic coolant from said coolant source into the body to coolthe fluids in the conduit to regulate the conduit fluid flow rate, and

control means connected to said body including means for opening apassage into the conduit to provide a passageway to allow at least aportion of the cryogenic coolant to mix with the fluids in the conduitwhereby said mixture forms the gating means to regulate the flow of thefluids.

2. A cryogenic valve for regulating the flow of fluid through a conduitas set forth in claim 1 wherein,

said cryogenic coolant source including a fluid having a pour pointlower than the fluid in the conduit.

3. A cryogenic valve for fast regulation of the flow of fluid through aconduit by freezing the conduit fluid into a gating means, comprising:

a body connectable to the conduit, said body including a cryogeniccoolant inlet, said body further including a passageway with means fordirecting the movement of the cryogenic coolant from said coolant inletinto the conduit to fast cool the conduit fluid, whereby said cryogeniccoolant and conduit fluid combine to form a gate in the conduit toregulate the fluid flow rate in the conduit, and control means connectedto said body to allow mixing of the cryogenic coolant and the conduitfluid, said control means including a means for opening a port in the.conduit to allow at least a portion of the coolant out of the bodypassageway and into the conduit and into direct contact with at least aportion of the conduit fluid.

4. A cryogenic valve for fast regulation of the flow of fluid through aconduit by freezing the fluid as set forth in claim 3, including aregulating means for regulating the transfer of the cryogenic coolant tosaid body.

5. A cryogenic valve for fast regulation of (regulating) the flow offluid through a conduit by (cooling) freezing the fluid as set forth inclaim 4 wherein,

said control means includes a means-for (opening) cutting a passagewayin said conduit to allow the coolant to pass from said body into saidconduit.

6. A cryogenic valve for fast regulation of (regulating) the flow offluid through a conduit by (cooling) freezing the fluid as set forth inclaim 5 wherein,

said body is an attachable jacket, said cutting means is ashaped-charge, and said low temperature material is liquid nitrogen.

7. A cryogenic valve for fast regulation of the flow of fluid through aconduit by freezing the fluid as set forth in claim 5 wherein, i

said valve is an emergency conduit fluid fire shut off valve andincludes,

a source of a low temperature, non combustible, barrier forming coolantmaterial connected to said coolant inlet,

said control means providing a passageway for the low temperature,non-combustible, barrier forming material, whereby the fire is cooled,oxygen starved and starved of combustible material.

1. A cryogenic valve for regulating the flow of fluid in a conduit bysupplying a cryogenic coolant into the conduit to create a gating meansincluding: a cryogenic coolant source, a body connectable to theconduit, said body including a cryogenic inlet connected to said coolantsource, means for directing the movement of the cryogenic coolant fromsaid coolant source into the body to cool the fluids in the conduit toregulate the conduit fluid flow rate, and control means connected tosaid body including means for opening a passage into the conduit toprovide a passageway to allow at least a portion of the cryogeniccoolant to mix with the fluids in the conduit whereby said mixture formsthe gating means to regulate the flow of the fluids.
 2. A cryogenicvalve for regulating the flow of fluid through a conduit as set forth inclaim 1 wherein, said cryogenic coolant source including a fluid havinga pour point lower than the fluid in the conduit.
 3. A cryogenic valvefor fast regulation of the flow of fluid through a conduit by freezingthe conduit fluid into a gating means, comprising: a body connectable tothe conduit, said body including a cryogenic coolant inlet, said bodyfurther including a passageway with means for directing the movement ofthe cryogenic coolant from said coolant inlet into the conduit to fastcool the conduit fluid, whereby said cryogenic coolant and conduit fluidcombine to form a gate in the conduit to regulate the fluid flow rate inthe conduit, and control means connected to said body to allow mixing ofthe cryogenic coolant and the conduit fluid, said control meansincluding a means for opening a port in the conduit to allow at least aportion of the coolant out of the body passageway and into the conduitand into direct contact with at least a portion of the conduiT fluid. 4.A cryogenic valve for fast regulation of the flow of fluid through aconduit by freezing the fluid as set forth in claim 3, including aregulating means for regulating the transfer of the cryogenic coolant tosaid body.
 5. A cryogenic valve for fast regulation of (regulating) theflow of fluid through a conduit by (cooling) freezing the fluid as setforth in claim 4 wherein, said control means includes a means for(opening) cutting a passageway in said conduit to allow the coolant topass from said body into said conduit.
 6. A cryogenic valve for fastregulation of (regulating) the flow of fluid through a conduit by(cooling) freezing the fluid as set forth in claim 5 wherein, said bodyis an attachable jacket, said cutting means is a shaped-charge, and saidlow temperature material is liquid nitrogen.
 7. A cryogenic valve forfast regulation of the flow of fluid through a conduit by freezing thefluid as set forth in claim 5 wherein, said valve is an emergencyconduit fluid fire shut off valve and includes, a source of a lowtemperature, non combustible, barrier forming coolant material connectedto said coolant inlet, said control means providing a passageway for thelow temperature, non-combustible, barrier forming material, whereby thefire is cooled, oxygen starved and starved of combustible material.